Fire Destroys Canyon Home, Threatens Brush

Smoke fills sky over neighborhood near El Cajon

A homeowner was injured after a house erupted in flames Tuesday along a canyon near El Cajon.

Firefighters arrived to 1223 Vista Del Monte to find a two-story, 3500 sq ft. home sitting on a canyon rim fully engulfed in flames.

According to Leonard Villareal, San Miguel Fire Department spokesperson, the owners were outside the home at 3:20 p.m. when one of them spotted fire in the house's bedroom.

Paramedics treated both owners. The woman suffered smoke inhalation, the man has a burn on his right hand.

Aerial views show flames from the bottom floor of the home to the roof on the backside of the house. Windows are blown out. Homes are located on both sides of the burning house but no evacuations have been launched.

La Mesa and San Miguel fire departments have 15 engines on hand to stop the spread into the nearby canyon.

"We are keeping an eye on the fire from the air and are prepared to do a water drop as necessary," said Villareal.

One spot fire was reported when some embers from the home started a small brush fire but that was extinguished.

"Humidity is very low, making embers more dangerous than usual," said Villareal. 

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